Connecticut Obituaries

Estelle Antonio

Estelle Katherine (Parkos) Antonio, 77, beloved wife of Thomas S. Antonio, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2013 in her hometown of Newport, RI surrounded by her family. She was born on November 25, 1936 in Newport, RI, daughter of the late Theodore K. and Mary (Diomandes) Parkos and had made her home in Newport, RI, Simsbury, CT and Tarpon Springs, FL. She was a graduate of Rogers High School in Newport, RI and Teacher’s College of Connecticut (now CCSU) where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Mrs. Antonio was a Kindergarten Teacher at Slye Elementary School in East Hartford, CT from 1958 until 1964. Estelle and her husband Tom opened Antonio’s Restaurant in Simsbury, CT in 1964, a landmark family business about to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Estelle raised her three children in Simsbury, where she was a highly regarded member of the community. She enjoyed participating in numerous philanthropic endeavors and she touched the lives of so many through her generous spirit, quick wit, loving ways and especially her renowned Greek cooking. She was also fondly known as Mrs. Santa Claus, a Brownie/girl scout leader, Stella Blue, Honey, Mrs. Toenails, Mhtepa3, Room Mom, Simsbury High School Commencement Speaker, Tariffville School Speaker, Junior Goya leader, Nouna, Auntie Stel, Styliani, Mrs. A, Agapi Mou and Stella. Estelle was a proud member of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Hartford, CT; St. Spyridon Church in Newport, RI and St. George Church in New Port Richey, FL. She was a Past President of the St. George Greek Orthodox Ladies of Philoptochos and a member of the Daughters of Penelope, Chapter 198. Among her many awards and accolades she was honored as Helene of the Year and Mother of the Year. Beside her loving husband Thomas of 54 years, she is survived by her daughter Leah Antonio Ketcham and her husband, John of Santa Monica, CA, her son, Steven Antonio and his wife Lisa of Simsbury, CT and her daughter, Mary Antonio Wheatley and her husband, Joseph of Tarpon Springs, FL. She was an adored “Yia Yia” (Greek for grandmother) to her grandchildren, Olivia Katherine Ketcham, Katherine Grace Antonio, Nicolas William Ketcham, Estelle Katherine Wheatley, Thomas Steven Antonio, John Steven Antonio and Stephanie Marie Wheatley. She is also survived by her brother, John T. Parkos and her two sisters, Barbara Parkos and Elaine P. Holder. She was predeceased by her daughter, Stephanie Paula Antonio and brother, Gregory T. Parkos. Calling hours are at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury, CT on Tuesday, December 10th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. There will be a Trisagion service at 6:00 PM. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 11th at 11 AM at the St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 433 Fairfield Avenue in Hartford, CT. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford, CT. Memorial donations may be made to any of the following: St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral Hartford, 433 Fairfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114; St. Spyridon Church, P.O. Box 427, Newport, RI 02840; St. George Church, 9426 Little Road, New Port Richey FL, 34654; the Salvation Army, 440 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY 10994 or Camp Horizon, P.O. Box 323, South Windham, CT 06266. Please visit Estelle’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.

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